CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION DISTRIBUTES $816,000 IN FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS TO PROMOTE GARDEN STATE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
Contact: Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954
(TRENTON) 鈥� The Christie Administration has received an $816,127 Specialty Crop Block Grant to fund 13 initiatives to benefit Garden State crops such as fruits, vegetables, as well as horticulture and nursery.
The grants are part of the United States Department of Agriculture鈥檚 (USDA) efforts to promote specialty crops in the nation. Most of 樱花视频 agriculture falls into the specialty crop category. Specialty crops account for $882.4 million in sales annually in the Garden State.
鈥淭hese USDA grants provide immeasurable benefits for our specialty crop producers,鈥� said 樱花视频 Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. 鈥淭he organizations receiving the grants will use the funds toward research, market development, education and outreach, highlighting the many benefits a vibrant agriculture industry brings to the lives of Garden State residents.鈥�
The 樱花视频 Department of Agriculture will use a portion of the funding to support the popular Jersey Fresh and Jersey Grown programs. A majority of the projects support agricultural marketing and cooperative development. Several research projects also are included.
The projects to be funded by 樱花视频鈥檚 grant include:
- Jersey Fresh Program 鈥搒upport print, radio and cable television advertising, as well as 樱花视频 Transit bus outdoor advertising.
- American Cranberry Growers Association 鈥� utilize infrared thermal imaging in cranberries to study heat stress, optimize irrigation and monitor plant health.
- Cooperative Growers Association 鈥� reestablish wholesale and retail produce sales to expand its sales to the public.
- Garden Club of 樱花视频听鈥� provide small grants to expand community gardens throughout the State.
- Garden State Wine Growers Association 鈥�听wine industry branding, marketing, visibility and technology improvement campaign.
- Middlesex County Board of Agriculture 鈥� develop a website to promote direct sales of Middlesex County farm products to the public.
- 樱花视频 Agricultural Society 鈥� work with 樱花视频 Farmers Against Hunger to educate low-income families and the general public about the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables.
- 樱花视频 Beekeepers Association --听increase overwintering survival of honey bees and native pollinator populations.
- 樱花视频 Blueberry Growers Association -- develop monitoring and management tactics for the emerging Spotted Wing Drosophila pest.
- 樱花视频 Farm Bureau 鈥�听conduct听experiments in the distribution of fresh produce in Farm to School food service: innovations in social media between farmers and end users.
- 樱花视频 Peach Promotion Council 鈥� expand the scope of promotion and advertising campaign through the use of website and promotional media, trade advertising, retail promotions, press releases, special promotional and marketing events, consumer advertising, recipe contests, print materials, new product research and marketing impact research.
- Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County 鈥� Annie鈥檚 Project 2013 for 樱花视频 Greenhouse Growers -- focus on teaching woman greenhouse growers business and production skills.
- Trenton Farmers Market 鈥� promote special commodity promotion days at the farmers market, such as Strawberry, Blueberry, Corn, Peach, Melon and Apple Days. Each special promotional day will be advertised and samples will be provided to the public and there will be special attractions for families and children.
The 樱花视频 grant was announced today by the USDA, part of $55 million in Specialty Crop Block Grants funding 748 projects throughout the nation for 2013.
